Stroop Effect

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR1rc_UD_vQyIX-WolsBnUldQAy_aNUqz6EsPj_scJUAfuf35YW

Broad Question

Investigating the stroop test: How long does it take people to complete?

Specific Question

When taking the stroop test, who can finish it faster, middle schoolers, or adults?

Variables

Independent Variable: Age

Dependent Variable: Time (seconds)

Variables That Need To Be Controlled: Same testing environment, and same words/colors used for each test

Hypothesis:

I hypothesize that middle school students will be complete the stroop test faster than adults will.

Graph of Hypothesis

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General Plan

Experimental Design

I am going to conduct an experiment that will help me determine who can finish the stroop test faster; middle schoolers, or adults. I will have twenty people involved in my experiment; ten adults and ten middle schoolers. Each person will attempt to read a list of color words, printed in ink, a different color than what the word describes. They will try to name the color of the ink and not what the word actually says. They will be timed on how long it takes them to read through the words. If they mess up, they will have to start all over. If ten adults and ten middle schoolers do this test once, I feel I will have enough data to draw an accurate conclusion. As I conduct this experiment I will record the data on a spreadsheet I have printed out. I plan to document this process by using a digital camera. I will then upload the pictures and email them to my science teacher so I can access them at school. I will then be able to upload them to my Wiki, as well as make prints for my display board.

Materials List

• Data Table
• Pencil
• Stop watch
• Digital camera
• A piece of paper with the Stroop effect printed on it
• Ten adults
• Ten middle schoolers

Detailed Procedure

1. Find a quiet room where the test can be conducted.
2. Hand the first participant the sheet of paper with different colors, and words on it.
3. Have them begin attempting to say the color of the ink the word is printed in, rather than the word.
4. Time them on how long it takes to read the list of words without messing up.
5. Record time on data sheet.
6. Repeat steps 1-5 with nine other middle schoolers
7. Repeat steps 1-5 with ten adults.
8. Combine all data and find averages.
9. Input data onto digital spreadsheet.
10. Upload photos from experiment and email to science teacher.

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Background Research

1. When you’re doing the Stroop Test, you’re brain is working against itself. As the right side of your brain wants to say the color, the left side of your brain automatically reads the word because your right brain is more creative and intuitive, and the left side of your brain is more logical and rational.
2. The left brain side is the more logical side. When you read and listen, the left side of your brain is putting together the pieces and looking for logical answers. The right side of your brain is using intuition, or what “feels” right. So in the stroop test, your brain in working against itself. The right side of your brain wants you to say the color of the word, while the left side wants to say the word itself.
3. Right Side:
   • rational
   • uses logic
   • is planned and structured
   • prefers established, certain information
   • controls feelings
   
   
   Left Side:
   • looks for patterns and configurations
   • is spontaneous
   • prefers uncertain information
   • looks at simialarities
4. Your brain is one of the most vital organs in your body. It acts as a control center that directs all the other parts, allowing you to move, solve problems, remember, and feel. The brain is linked to the rest of the body through a network of nerves. Trying to figure out how to read the color of the ink of the stroop effect versus the word that is is written in, involves using your brain. Two thirds of all of the information in your brain arrives via your eyes. As well as giving vital information about your surroundings and other people, vision also allows you to absorb information in the form of words, pictures, and diagrams.

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRFcv_d7Q0CpZcW90OSHj7068HFlZBWQfvHMlZwKY3D7tlT571UEA

References

1. Green, Jen. Your Body and Health Brain and Senses.
2. Left Vs. Right Wich Side Are You On. Intelegen Inc., 1995. Web. 19 Jan. 2012. <http://www.web-us.com/brain/lrbrain.html>Mankato, MN: Aladdin Books, 2006 . Print.
3. STROOP TASK: A TEST OF CAPACITY TO DIRECT ATTENTION. 5 Jan. 2010. Web. 18 Jan. 2012. <http://www.snre.umich.edu/eplab/demos/st0/stroopdesc.html>.
4. STROOP TASK: A TEST OF CAPACITY TO DIRECT ATTENTION. 5 Jan. 2010. Web. 18 Jan. 2012. <http://www.snre.umich.edu/eplab/demos/st0/stroopdesc.html>.

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Results

Data Table

Graphs

Photos

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Data Analysis

Conclusion

The original purpose of this experiment was to see who could complete the stroop test faster, middle schoolers or adults. Ten middle schoolers and ten adults were tested. The average time for middle schoolers came out to be 21.8 seconds and the time for adults was 16.7. Adults were able to complete the stroop test faster by an average of about 5.1 seconds.

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Discussion

My hypothesis was that middle school students would be able to complete the stroop test faster than adults would. However my results did not support my hypothesis.The relationship between the independent and dependent variables was the higher the age, the faster the time. I think the tests I did went smoothly. I didn’t run into any problems completing the tests, and did not have to redo any parts of the experiment or back track.
If I could improve my experiment I would want to test more people, this would enable me to get more accurate results. As well as record their actual age. An interesting future study might involve testing a wider variety of age groups, to figure out at exactly what age is able to complete a test like this the fastest.